Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02817551 2015-01-16
Well Drilling Assemblies and Methods
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of well drilling and well
maintenance activities that utilize multiple pipe components that are linked
together by some type of threaded connection. In particular embodiments,
the present disclosure relates to breakout wrenches that may be utilized to
break apart these pipe components as well as rod spinners.
BACKGROUND
[0003]
In the field of well drilling, oil, gas, or water well drilling, it is
becoming a necessity to drill wells deeper than ever before. As a result,
more power is needed to rotate the multiple lengths of drill pipe that are
utilized to reach these depths during well drilling. These lengths of pipe are
connected to one another via a threaded fitting. Upon removing the pipe
from the well, it is necessary to break the pipe components or lengths apart
at the well head. This can be an extraordinarily dangerous action, as it
requires operators to exert a tremendous amount of force in a sometimes
unsafe manner to break apart these components. The present disclosure
provides breakout wrench assemblies and methods that can be utilized to
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assist operators in breaking apart pipe components safely, as well as
torquing them up to proper specifications.
SUMMARY
[0004] Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair
of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having
an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing
arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel.
[0005] Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided,
the methods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections;
securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of
the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering
the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured
section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference
to the following accompanying drawings.
[0007] Fig. 1 is an exploded view of one subassembly of a breakout
wrench according to an embodiment.
[0008] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of another subassembly of a breakout
wrench according to an embodiment.
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[0009] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the two subassemblies of Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2 according to an embodiment.
[0010] Fig. 4 is a breakout wrench at one stage of operation according to
an embodiment.
[0011] Fig. 5 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according
to an embodiment.
[0012] Fig. 6 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according
to an embodiment.
[0013] Fig. 7 is a breakout wrench at another state of operation according
to an embodiment.
[0014] Fig. 8 is a top view of a breakout wrench at a stage of operation
according to an embodiment.
[0015] Fig. 9 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according
to an embodiment.
[0016] Fig. 10 is a hydraulic schematic of a controller as it relates to the
breakout wrench of the present disclosure.
[0017] Fig. 11 is a depiction of the breakout wrench according to an
embodiment.
[0018] Figs. 12A-12E3 depict a series of breakout wrench operations
according to an embodiment.
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= [0019] Fig. 13 is a depiction of a spinner arm according to an
embodiment.
[0020] Fig. 14 is another view of the spinner arm of Fig. 13 according to
an embodiment.
[0021] Fig. 15 is a depiction of another spinner arm according to an
embodiment.
[0022] Fig. 16 is another view of the other spinner arm of Fig. 15
according to an embodiment.
[0023] Fig. 17 is a depiction of a spinner assembly associated with a
breakout wrench according to an embodiment.
[0024] Fig. 18 is another view of the spinner assembly and breakout
wrench of Fig. 18 according to an embodiment.
[0025] Fig. 19 is a hydraulic schematic of the control panel as it relates to
both the breakout wrench of the present disclosure and/or the spinner
assembly of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION
[0026] This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional
purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws "to promote the progress of science and
useful arts" (Article 1, Section 8).
[0027] The present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1-
19. Referring first to Fig. 1, a subassembly 16 of breakout wrench assembly
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' 12 (shown in Fig. 11) is depicted. As can be seen, this subassembly
includes an actuator 21 that can be coupled to opposing arms 19 having
teeth 20. Upper plate 22 and side walls 26 and 24 as well as bottom plate
28 can form a housing that encloses arms 19 and provides pivot rotation for
arms 19 within this housing. This housing can be engaged to a rail 30 which
is mounted to a rotation plate 32 to form recess 31 (Fig. 3). Recess 31 can
form a track configured to receive rail 46. Below actuator 21 can be a pivot
housing that includes back plate 34 as well as eyelets 36 and 38
respectively. Actuators can include hydraulic cylinders.
[0028] Referring to Fig. 2, another subassembly 18 is shown that includes
an actuator 40 coupled to opposing arms 42 having teeth 44 associated
therewith. Upper plate 48 as well as side walls 50 and front walls 56 and
bottom plate 52 can form a housing that encloses arms 42 and engages
them in a pivotable rotation therewith. Above upper plate 48 of subassembly
18 can be rail 46 which is engaged to couple with recess 31. At opposing
sides of subassembly 12 can be one or more actuators 58 and 60,
respectively. Acutator 58 can pivotably couple with eyelet 54 as shown and
actuator 60 can couple with opposing eyelet 54. These actuators cylinders
can have opposing ends, and one opposing end can be configured to couple
to eyelet 36 as shown in Fig. 1. Actuator 60 can be configured to couple
with eyelet 38 as shown in Fig. 1 as well.
[0029] Referring to Fig. 3, the subassemblies are shown in a subset
exploded view associated with one another as subassembly 16 is shown
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associated with subassembly 18.
Posts 43 can support the second
subassembly above the first subassembly via rail 46 and recess 31.
[0030] Referring to Fig. 4, operation of the wrench can include configuring
the wrench to couple with a pipe 23 as shown in Fig. 5. Pipe 23 can be at
least a pair of longitudinal sections configured to releasably couple.
Examples include sections of drilling pipe. As can be seen, wrench 10 is in
an operable position 25 proximate pipe 23 rather than another position away
from pipe 23. According to this stage of operation, the assembly 18 would
engage the arms to engage a section of pipe. Referring to Fig. 5, a top view
of this engagement is shown with the upper assembly rotated at least
slightly askew from the lower assembly.
[0031] Referring to Fig. 6, at this stage, both the upper and lower arms of
the assembly would engage the pipe with the upper assembly askew to the
lower assembly, engaging an upper length of pipe, and as Fig. 7
demonstrates, at this stage of operation, the upper assembly can be utilized
to grip and move the upper length of pipe in a direction unlocking or
unscrewing the upper length of pipe from the lower length of pipe.
[0032] Referring to Fig. 8, another view of the disclosure shows the upper
sub assembly in an opposing or counterclockwise skew to the lower sub
assembly and in Fig. 9, this is depicted as well.
[0033] Fig. 10 demonstrates the schematic for the depicted control panel.
This schematic aligns the pressure regulation of the three various valves
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that control the upper wrench to rotate or upper assembly and lower
assembly clamping force, respectively. This schematic can include gauges
that have respective control pressure valves residing therewith.
[0034] Fig. 11 is a depiction of the completed sub assembly, and Figs. 12A
and 12B are a series of rotations indicating the use of the arms and the
rotation of the pipes associated therewith with arms 4 and 5, indicating the
upper arms of the upper sub assembly and arms 1 and 2 indicating the
lower arms of the lower sub assembly. Controller 14 and wrench assemblies
12 and 18 can be supported and/or mechanically connected via platform
112. Controller 14 can provide hydraulic fluid control of actuators via lines
110. Platform 112 may be coupled to one or more wheels 114 configured to
engage support and movement of the breakout wrench between operational
and non-operational locations. As is depicted, this series indicates the
different stages that the wrench utilizes to break apart the pipe sections.
[0035] In accordance with an additional embodiment of the disclosure and
with reference to Figs 13-19, a spinner assembly is described that can be
used alone or in association with the breakout wrench assemblies
described. Referring first to Fig. 13, a spinner arm 119 is shown extending
along a length from a first end 121 to a second end 125 and establishing at
least one angle 123 proximate a pivot point of arm 119. The pivot point can
be about the midpoint of arm 119 and define an opening. End 121 can
define an opening 127 configured to couple with an actuator, such as a
hydraulic piston. At angle 123 of arm 119 another opening 129 may be
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defined. Opening 129 can be configured to couple with a frame or housing
allowing arm 119 to rotate about a rod within the housing. End 125 can
define another housing configured to receive at least one wheel assembly,
such as a powered wheel assembly. End 125 can define opening 131 which
can be configured to receive an axle of the wheel assembly such as a drive
shaft from a motor mounted thereon. The axle can be substantially normal
to a surface of the one arm.
[0036] Referring to Fig. 14, another view of arm 119 is shown detailing end
125 to define housing sidewall 133 and top 135. The one wheel assembly
can be configured to be received by the housing
[0037] Referring to Fig. 15 another spinner arm 120 is shown extending
from first end 122 to second end 126 and establishing at least one pivot
point 124 proximate the midpoint of arm 120. End 122 can define an
opening 128 configured to couple with an actuator such as a hydraulic
piston. In accordance with example configurations, an opposing end of the
piston coupled to opening 127 can be coupled to opening 128, the piston
configured to deliver expansive or restrictive force between the openings
and in so doing ends 121 and 122.
[0038] At angle 124 of arm 122 another opening 130 is defined. Opening
130 can be configured to couple with a frame or housing allowing arm 122 to
rotate about a rod within the housing. The rod configured to couple with
opening 130 can be configured in the frame or housing opposing the rod
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configured to couple with opening 129. Such configuration can align arms
119 and 120 in a scissor configuration opposing one another. End 126 can
define another housing configured to receive another wheel assembly such
as a free wheel assembly. End 126 can define openings 132 which are
configured to receive axles aligned substantially normal to the surface of
arm 120 and house free wheel assemblies.
[0039] Referring to Fig. 16, another view of arm 120 is shown depicting
end 126 with housing wall 134 and top 136. This housing can be configured
to receive a set of free wheels therein for example as well as configured to
define a recess configured to receive a longitudinal section.
[0040] In accordance with example implementations, when arms 119 and
120 are coupled within a housing at openings 129 and 130 respectively, end
125 can oppose end 126. As described, end 125 can couple a motor to
power a wheel assembly and this power wheel can oppose the free wheels
of end 126. In accordance with example methods, a portion of a section of
threaded pipe can be positioned between the ends 125 and 126, the motor
activated and the pipe spun or rotated on its lengthwise axis to be removed
from a length pipe maintained in a fixed position.
[0041] Referring to Figs 17 and 18, views of spinner assembly 200
associated with breakout wrench assembly 12 are shown. Referring first to
Fig. 17, spinner assembly 200 can include a piston 202 operatively engaged
between ends 121 and 122 of arms 119 and 120 respectively. These arms
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= are operatively coupled within housing/frame 214 which is biasly
supported
by support member 204. Biasing members 204 can be springs or the like,
for example. Referring to Fig. 18, another view of assemblies 200 and 12
are shown. Accordingly, motor 208 can be mounted above end 125 and
operatively engage motorized wheel 210. Motor 208 can be a hydraulic
motor for example. An example motor can include but is not limited to White
Drive Products Inc. JLH Model Number 355200A7120AAAAA SO# 9577
(hydraulicsuperstore.com, 837 W. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 787, Lansdale, PA
19446, 877-357-6491). Free wheels 212 can be mounted within end 126.
The components of the systems and assemblies of the present disclosure
can be manufactured of steel for example. Referring to Fig. 19, a hydraulic
schematic is provided to facilitate the operation of the either or both of the
breakout wrench and the spinner assembly.
[0042] In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have
been described in language more or less specific as to structural and
methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire
invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown
and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of
putting the invention into effect.
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